4. LITHOSPHERE
• the lithosphere is the solid, rocky crust covering entire planet. this crust is
inorganic and is composed of minerals. it covers the entire surface of the earth
• This is where terrestrial organisms live
• The shape of the land surface is called its topography.
• A thin layer of soil supports life. Soil is formed from weathered rock
• The soil provides plants with nutrients and water to support all the organisms
in a food chain
5. ATMOSPHERE
• the atmosphere is the body of air which surrounds our planet.
• most of our atmosphere is located close to the earth's surface where it is most
dense.
• the air of our planet is 79% nitrogen and just under 21% oxygen; the small
amount remaining is composed of carbon dioxide and other gasses.
• the atmosphere consists of five layers of gases that support life and protect us
from harmful radiation from the sun
6. HYDROSPHERE
• the hydrosphere is composed of all of the water on or near the earth. this
includes the oceans, rivers, lakes, and even the moisture in the air.
• ninety-seven percent of the earth's water is in the oceans. the remaining three
percent is fresh water; three-quarters of the fresh water is solid and exists in
ice sheets
• aquatic organisms depend on the hydrosphere for life
7. INTERCONNECTIONS OF THE SPHERES
• life on earth is linked in each of the three spheres.
• all four spheres can be and often are present in a single location.
• for example, a piece of soil will of course have mineral material from the
lithosphere. additionally, there will be elements of the hydrosphere present as
moisture within the soil, the biosphere as insects and plants, and even the
atmosphere as pockets of air between soil pieces.
8. TWO COMPONENTS OF THE BIOSPHERE
• a biotic or living component – animals, plants microorganisms etc.
• an abiotic or non-living component – water air temperature, soil etc. o
